For the past two years, the Northwest experienced a deficit in potato production, leading processors to source from the Midwest, East Coast, and Canada. This shortage impacted the availability of fries in fast food outlets. In response, processors increased planting, resulting in a surplus as older stockpiles remain and the new harvest approaches.
Dale Lathim, executive director of the Potato Growers of Washington, highlighted the shift from the shortest to the longest supply within a year. To manage the excess, processors have directed growers to repurpose the surplus for cattle feed and food banks, with some being discarded in fields and canyons.
Adam Weber, a farmer in Quincy, noted a reduction in potato planting by 10% across various crops due to the surplus, affecting revenue and leading to tighter budget management. The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts a fair crop this year, promising an ample supply of Northwest fries. The harvest, starting in July, will cover an estimated 516,000 acres across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
Source: nwpb.org